Homeless woman critical after Melbourne hit and run by white van as partner makes plea
Partner of homeless woman fighting for life after alleged hit-and-run makes emotional plea – as driver turns herself in to police
- Sarah Phillips, 34, hit by a van on Saturday
- Her traumatized partner Paul Chircop witnessed the crash
- Man, 64, arrested Monday after turning himself in
The emotional plea from the partner of a homeless woman who was dragged 70 meters in an alleged accident in which the driver believed to be responsible turned herself in has worked
Sarah Phillips, from Springvale, was reported to have been hit by a car at 7pm Saturday as she was crossing Heatherton Road near Noble Park, Melbourne’s south-east.
Her partner Paul Chircop then watched in horror as Ms. Phillips was dragged “50 to 70 metres” by the white van that allegedly hit her.
The van reportedly failed to stop, with police saying the vehicle left Ms Phillips ‘dying by the side of the road’.
The van reportedly failed to stop, despite causing such serious injuries that police described Ms Phillips as ‘dying on the roadside’
The partner of a woman ‘left for dead’ after allegedly being dragged into a horror ‘hit and run’ made an emotional appeal to the driver responsible
On Monday, a 64-year-old man from North Dandenong turned himself in to detectives after Mr Chircop made an emotional plea for the driver to turn himself in.
Mr. Chircop, neighbors and passersby rushed to the aid of Mrs. Phillips until an ambulance arrived.
She was treated at the scene by paramedics and rushed to Alfred Hospital with ‘life-threatening injuries’.
Victoria Police told Daily Mail Australia she was in hospital in a ‘life-threatening condition’ on Monday.
“Sarah followed me and the van drove right into her. She was dragged under for about 50 to 70 metres,’ Mr Chircop said 9News.
“Please driver, step forward mate, please do the right thing,” Mr. Chircop pleaded.
He described the alleged actions of the van driver as “just plain wrong” when he broke down in front of the media.
Detective Sergeant Stephen Hill said the driver should turn himself in to the nearest police station with a ‘we’ll get you’ warning.
“It’s unbelievable why, but the driver of the van went ahead and left the 34-year-old woman dying by the side of the road until the ambulance arrived,” says Det. Sergeant Hill said.
Ms Phillips was hit around 7pm on Saturday night as she crossed Heatherton Road near Noble Park in south-east Melbourne
He said it will be obvious the van was in an accident as there will be “significant damage to the passenger side”.
The 64-year-old man who turned himself in because of the accident has been arrested by the police and is in custody.
The Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives are investigating the incident.
Anyone who witnessed the collision, has dash cam footage or any other relevant information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or file a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.